Waking up way earlier than you had planned to with your 4 year old daughter’s iPad blaring through your ears and your 2 year old son using your head as a bounce ball is not exactly the thoughts that come to mind when you think of the word gratitude. But writing this it’s one of the things I realised I am incredibly grateful for. As I lay there begrudging the fact that I really could do with more sleep and wondering: is that a dirty nappy I smell on my head; I still feel so much warmth in my heart and here is why:
When my little ones burst into my room with their morning antics; through my sleepy eyes, my first thought is thank God we all made it! Another day to conquer together side-by-side as a family! Their smiles, screams and laughter is like music to my ears.
Taking on Atana Gratitude Challenge Month was enlightening to say the least. There are so many things that we tend to take for granted. Some things we don’t even recognise as something to be grateful for. Sometimes it is hard to see the sun behind the clouds. Our days can feel so mundane, so heavy and we forget to be thankful for those very simple things that we have. From the job you are so tired of but pays the bills and affords you your lifestyle; to the partner that does not lend you his ears, but makes you feel incredibly loved and secure. Gratitude allows you to move from the dark and into the marvelous light.
How do you cultivate gratitude habits
By setting yourself deliberate daily gratitude goals and recording your thoughts, results and feelings in a gratitude journal, you are able to safely offload significant invisible weight you carry around with you daily. Gratitude allows you to reflect inwardly and express outwardly through thanksgiving. Gratitude does not just end with reflecting on what you are grateful for alone but in making the effort to involve others too. Letting those you love, those you don’t love so much, those you encounter daily like your barista or your postman or your local wakye seller know that you appreciate them or the contribution they make in brightening up your day; you spur on a whole ripple effect of gratitude around you.
5 key benefits of daily gratitude practice
- daily gratitude habit helps you strengthen your relationships
- being grateful for everything pushes you to do better
- It causes you to have a better outlook on every situation you encounter
- It helps you take control over your life
- You create a ripple effect of gratitude around you
Feedback from our Atana gratitude challenge participants
“Just what my soul needed I tell you”
“I am loving every bit of the challenge, really helping me to dig deep within myself. So thank you and the team”
“Thank you for the gratitude challenges you set! Im grateful for these as they are helping me to become a better person”
“I’ve literally been reflecting and just shared some life testimonies with a cab driver to motivate him and emphasize on God’s goodness”
“Was great! 5th on my list was my cousin so sent him a message saying how much he is loved and blessed – I rarely message him so it was a lovely surprise”
About Atana Women
Atana Women is an end-to-end network providing comprehensive and empowering information for all things to help you on your womanhood journey. Our network seeks to provide a platform for all women; regardless of age, background and status. This network will seek to inform, educate, provide insight and promote the cultivation of potential.
Be part of our monthly challenges designed to make you a better version of yourself and tap into all the amazing benefits, join our Atana women community today
About Belinda Boadu
Belinda Boadu is the founder of the Atana Enterprise and Foundation comprising Atana Women, Atana Mums Atana Women’s Hive and Atana Men’s Hub. She is also the Managing Director of Impart & Impact a consulting firm providing services in business, career and education. She lives in both Ghana and the UK and has a loving husband and two beautiful and brilliant children, a son and a daughter.